Conor Shaughnessy absence explained by Portsmouth boss John Mousinho after fan fear
Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho confirmed Conor Shaughnessy missed the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday through illness.
Last season’s Player of the Year at Fratton Park and the man who scored the goal to seal promotion from League One, Shaughnessy has been hugely reliable since arriving at the club and was a big miss at the weekend.
His absence when the team was revealed before kick-off raised concerns in many fans, who feared the worst such as a training ground injury.
Fellow centre-halves Tom McIntyre and Regan Poole are also absent as they recover from long-term injury lay-offs, meaning right-back Jordan Williams had to partner Ryley Towler at the heart of the defence with Zak Swanson drafted in to start.
Mousinho told The News [24 August] following the match on Teesside: “Shaughs was ill, so that was a real blow for us.
“But I thought Jordan came in and did magnificently well.
“I actually thought Swanny came in and played really well as well, so it was really, really pleasing on that side.”
Portsmouth miss Conor Shaughnessy
As much as Mousinho praises the contribution of his shuffled defensive line, which in fairness held up strongly against a dominant Boro side, getting Shaughnessy back is paramount.
Whilst the Irishman is yet to have a sustained run of Championship football in his career – there was a smattering of games for Leeds United in the division some years ago – he is arguably Pompey’s most important defensive cog.
The other defenders to have featured early on in the season have also stepped up to the plate well despite their challenges, including Ryley Towler who has already matched his number of league starts from last season.
With McIntyre and Poole expected to vie to be first-choice once fully fit – whether that be alongside one another or Shaughnessy – it would be surprising if Mousinho and Rich Hughes do dip into the transfer market for a permanent defensive addition this week.
A loan could be possible, although it appears the club are pursuing other areas of the field in the belief that their threadbare back line options won’t last long.
In other Portsmouth news, a timeline emerges for the Blues’ hunt for a Premier League striker.
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